The anticipation of Opening Day has finally arrived in Rhode Island, as the state’s Department of Environmental Management (DEM) prepares to stock over 100 freshwater locations with 60,000 fish, including brook, brown, rainbow, and golden rainbow trout. This massive stocking effort is part of the state’s annual trout stocking program, which aims to provide anglers with a fun and exciting experience. **A List of Stocked Waters**
The complete list of stocked waters can be found on the DEM’s website. Anglers are reminded that fishing is prohibited in all trout-stocked waters until Opening Day. The closed season allows DEM’s fisheries staff to stock the fishing areas statewide and enables the trout to acclimate and distribute themselves, ensuring a healthy and sustainable fish population. **Regulations and Safety Reminders**
Before heading out on the water, anglers must be aware of the regulations and safety guidelines. The 2025-26 Freshwater Fishing Abstract outlines all the rules and regulations, including the daily creel/possession limit for trout and/or landlocked domestic salmon. The limit is five fish, with only two salmon allowed per day. Anglers are also reminded to respect their fellow anglers by adhering to this regulation and not fishing in trout-stocked waters before Opening Day. This helps to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. **Golden Trout Pin**
Anglers who catch a golden rainbow trout on Opening Day and through May 6 will be eligible to receive a golden trout pin. To be eligible, anglers must take a picture and email it to dem.fishri@dem.ri.gov for verification. Submissions must be received no later than Monday, May 5, 2025. **Personal Safety Precautions**
DEM is reminding anglers to exercise personal safety precautions while in pursuit of their first trout of the season. Anglers are required to have personal flotation devices (PFDs) for each person, and all operators and passengers of canoes, kayaks, and any other paddle craft must always wear a PFD, regardless of age. Anglers are also reminded to dress in layers and wear a warm hat and gloves, as hypothermia can be a serious concern, especially in low temperatures. DEM also recommends staying up to date on the weather forecast to ensure a safe and fun experience. **Boating Safety**
Boaters must exercise caution when navigating Rhode Island’s freshwater waters. State law requires boaters to have personal flotation devices for each person, and all operators and passengers of canoes, kayaks, and any other paddle craft must always wear a PFD, regardless of age. Boaters are also reminded to protect themselves from hypothermia by dressing in layers and staying warm. DEM’s website provides information on Rhode Island boating laws, which can be accessed here. **Fishing Licenses and Stamps**
A 2025 fishing license is required for anglers 15 years of age and older, and a Trout Conservation Stamp is required to keep or possess trout. Trout stamps are not required for persons possessing trout taken from a lake or pond that shares a border with Rhode Island. Fishing licenses can be purchased online on DEM’s Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO) portal. **Regulations for Trout and Salmon**
The following regulations apply to trout and salmon fishing in Rhode Island:
| Fishing Regulations | Details |
|---|---|
| Fishing in trout-stocked waters begins at 6 AM on Saturday, April 12. | This allows DEM’s fisheries staff to stock the fishing areas statewide and enables the trout to acclimate and distribute themselves. |
| The daily creel/possession limit for trout and/or landlocked domestic salmon singly or in aggregate is five. | Only two salmon may be possessed per day, with the number reduced to two December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026. |
| The creel/possession limit for trout or charr, taken in the Wood River between RT. 165 Arcadia Check Station and Barberville Dam at Arcadia Road is two fish. | This limit applies from the second Saturday in May through the last day of February 2026. |
| The minimum size for any trout, stocked or wild caught in any state waters is 8 inches. | The minimum size limit for domestic, (landlocked) Atlantic Salmon is 11 inches. |
| Fishing is prohibited in catch-and-release areas. | The portion of the Falls River, from the bridge at Austin Farm Rd. to the bridge at Brook Trail is a catch-and-release area. |
| Fishing is also prohibited in areas where invasive aquatic plants or invertebrates are present. | The use of external felt-soled waders or boots is strictly prohibited in any freshwaters in Rhode Island. |
“Opening Day is a spring tradition for thousands of Rhode Islanders who head out on the second Saturday of April to a favorite fishing spot to reel in their first trout of the season,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “The work and logistics involved in raising and stocking 60,000 trout are intense, and I am proud to recognize all members of DEM’s Freshwater Fisheries Team who pull off this feat every year – and keep freshwaters stocked throughout most of the year.”
As the state prepares for another exciting season of freshwater fishing, DEM is reminding anglers to respect their fellow anglers and to follow the regulations and safety guidelines. With the right knowledge and precautions, anglers can enjoy a safe and fun experience on Rhode Island’s freshwater waters.
